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Empowering Trail Stewardship and Collaboration: �Successes of the Utah Trails Forum and the Utah Trails Master Steward Course

Jake Powell

Utah State University Extension Specialist

Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

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The Challenge:

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The Challenge:

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The Challenge:

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The Challenge:

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The Challenge:

Add to an existing trail infrastructure that is already in disrepair in many instances trails are being planned and constructed all over – there is a trail construction boom right now (at least in Utah)

Getting training is hard for volunteers and even volunteer leaders – Much of it happens “on the job” and often poor habits are merely transferred to other volunteers.

Training is often difficult to access

It is often held in areas that are geographically distant from volunteers

Without training and trained volunteer supervisors it is difficult for volunteers to confidently create and maintain sustainable trails that add value to our landscapes.

Additionally, Rogue trail construction is a growing issue on public and private lands.

Rogue trail construction is done when someone or an organization builds new trail outside of the regulatory permission procedures.

This kind of building Hurts builders and public land managers

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Utah Trails Forum

Utah Trails Master Steward

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1- Spark�2- Collaboration�3- Strategy�4- Deployment

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Spark

I would like to first talk about the Utah Trails Forum across what I would term its 4 phases of development

Here in the state of Utah we do really have the entire range of passionate trail user groups – motorized, non-motorized, mountain bikes, jeepers, equestrian, hikers, trail runners, and on and on.

Similarly we have about every type of federal, state, and local land management agency that operates at all levels of sophistication, bureaucracy, scale of lands, mission, all staffed with a diversity of personalities.

We have user groups, industries, non-profits, all with their various missions, agendas, funding streams, and skillsets.

You put this all together, and the result is in addition to the most discombobulated alphabet soup of acronymed titles, and quite a mess of do-gooders, bureaucrats, experts, and passionate dirt baggers all with experience, talent, and passion, but that rarely have a neutral space to interact with each other, and share what they know.

The then, office of outdoor recreation recognized the need to create such a space.

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Collaboration

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Strategy and Deployment

QR code for the UTF

Strategic Plan!

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C O N N E C T

Create a healthy network throughout the state for trail use, planning, building, maintenance, education, and advocacy

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B U I L D

Develop Utah guidelines and resources for quality trail experiences, including consistency in rating, signage, design, access, and regulation

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L E A R N

Establish a learning community through regular and accessible education and training

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P R O T E C T

Advocate for balanced policies that promote land, water, and wildlife conservation through trail stewardship

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Knowledge

The HOW

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Stewards & Stewardship

Trail Inventory

Online Course

In Person, Field Courses

Online

Trail Maintenance

Volunteer Management

Trail Planning and Design

Advanced Trail Construction

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Stewards & Stewardship

Values

What is a sustainable trail and why should I care?

What is unauthorized trail building and what are the impacts?

What does it mean to be a “Trail Steward”?

Knowledge

How do trails get planned, designed, and built?

What are the parts of a trail?

What are common trail maintenance and construction tools and how do I use them.

How can I help?

How can I be an effective and safe Trail Steward?

The WHY

The HOW

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Course Feedback

Knowledge

The HOW

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Feedback - Stewardship

Knowledge

The HOW

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Feedback - Skills

Knowledge

The HOW

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Stewards & Stewardship